EDITORIAL: Looking ahead, hopes for 2017
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, December 27, 2016
For some, 2016 has been a year that has overstayed its welcome. From a stressful presidential election that left many exhausted — regardless of feelings about the outcome, to what seemed like a never-ending barrage of violent and senseless terrorist attacks in Europe and the Middle East, the world seemed to be in turmoil for much of the year.
Locally, the year’s conclusion has left Puget Sound residents with devastating news about the sensitive Southern Resident Killer Whale population — six whales in the J, K and L pods died in 2016 — and a ferry system that just seems to be getting worse.
Moving forward, the staff of The Beachcomber has a few local wishes for 2017. So, from far-fetched to realistic, here they are.
1. Improve the ferry system. The past year has been a rough one to be a Washington resident dependent on ferries. With a summer of half-empty, late-running boats and long lines followed by a disastrous Christmas Eve that left the island with one-boat service on the north end and none on the south end, the ferry system is attempting to find solutions. A task force for the triangle route is in the works, and meetings are expected to begin in the new year. However, with a complicated and confusing year of supposed solutions that seemed to cause more problems, the task force may not be enough to implement real change. WSF’s chief also recently announced her retirement. So with new leadership and a designated task force, we hope it can only go up from here.
2. Continue to have thriving island businesses. With the island’s newest restaurants showing success and businesses prevailing through a year that saw plenty of juggling for space downtown, Vashon’s local business owners should be able to start 2017 strong. Each one adds to the diverse landscape that Vashon is becoming and more are on the way as work is ongoing at the Vashon Landing building.
3. Clean up and protect Puget Sound for the orcas, as well as every other marine animal that calls it home. In October, the Obama administration announced the formation of a task force to restore the health of Puget Sound. A draft action plan is being created. The actions are crucial after a year that saw the loss of five endangered whales and opened up the potential for more tanker traffic due to the construction of a new oil pipeline in Canada.
These are all causes near and dear to islanders and with a community as socially and politically active as Vashon’s, The Beachcomber hopes 2017 will bring positivity and success in these important arenas.
